Within five years, Gemma Power Systems is performing multiple combined cycle projects simultaneously with annual revenues nearing $250 million. The company employs 125 permanent staff and more than 700 craft personnel. Gemma expands its capabilities into biodiesel and ethanol production facilities.

With a modest investment and foregoing a salary, Bill and Joel hire a temporary employee to assist with administrative activities and begin to bid work. Because they believe there will be ample opportunities to replace aging power generation facilities in the Northeast, they focus first on this region.

CNF’s parent company, Kenetech Corporation, was experiencing a challenging economic period. One of their subsidiaries was entering Chapter 11.  This disrupted the company, and Kenetech decided to sell CNF. After cooperating with the sales process for some time, the leadership team at CNF propose a management buyout. When that offer..Read More

Gemma founders Bill Griffin and Joel Canino worked together for 12 years building the CNF Industries organization. During that period, Joel served as president and CEO, and Bill worked his way up from project manager to president. While working together alongside many others who ultimately formed the nucleus of Gemma..Read More